Winding machine for filaments



Aug. 20; 1935. E. WlLDY WINDING MACHINE FOR FILAMENTS Filed July 6, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 20, 1935. E. WILDY 2,012,208

' WINDING MACHINE FOR FILAMENTS' I Filed July 6, 1934 I 5 Sheets-Shet 2 26 L IHI f 2% 3 26w n 370 I n Ill I g 4M INVENTOH Aug. 20, 1935. E. WILDY WINDING MACHINE FOR FILAMENTS Filed July 6, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 20, 1935. E. wlLbY v WINDING MACH'INE FORFILAMENTS Filed July 6, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 myz/vrw? ERIC L W/LDY 2 Aug. 20, 1935.

E. L. WILDY WINDING MACHINE FOR FIL AMENTS Filed July'6, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNl/ENTOP IL; V v

IEFIC L WILDY Jr Patented Aug 20, 1935 2,012,208 PATENT OFFICE WINDING mom son murmurs Eric Lawrence Wildy, London, EnglancL assignor to The London Electric Wire Company and Smiths Limited, London, England, a corporationof Great Britain Application July 6, 1934, Serial No. 734,026

' In Great Britain July 12, 1933 12 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for winding filaments and more particularly to machines for winding wire.

When winding wire from one bobbin to another, the external diameters formed by the winding on the bobbins vary as the amount of wire on the two bobbins increases and decreasesrespectively. It is necessary therefore to control the relative speeds of rotation of the bobbins in such a way that the speed of rotation of the bobbin having the smaller, external diameter of winding is correspondingly greater than that of the bobbin with the larger external diameter of winding, and that the proper relation between these speeds is constantly maintained in order, on the one hand, that there shall be no slackness in the wire, and on the other hand thatthe tension in the wire shall :not

, become excessive but shall remain as uniform as possible. 1

' The object of the invention is to provide amachine for winding filaments in which the relative speeds of rotation of the-bobbins are continuously and automatically controlled.

The term bobbin used throughout this'specification is intended to be interpreted in its broadest sense to include formers, reels, etc.

According .to the invention, a machine for winding filaments comprises two spindles for the reception of unwinding and winding bobbins respectively connected with each other through a differential mechanism'in association with means actuated by the tension of the filament being wound from one bobbin to another for retarding the speed of rotation of the spindles in such a manner that the speeds of rotation of the two spindles are continuously controlled.

The machine may be driven in any convenient manner; for example, the difierential mechanism may be housed within a driving pulley, or a driving shaft may drive the two spindles carrying the bobbins through the diiferential mechanism or any other convenient type of drive may be used.

Although the more general mechanical forms of vto a spindle for the reception of another bobbin may be used. Both the rotor and stator of the motor are adapted and arranged in such a manner that they are both free to rotate. The electrical 'currentto the stator may be supplied through the agency of suitable slip ring and brush gear. The braking mechanism associated with the two spindles is similar in all respects to that utilized in connection with the embodiments hereinafter described.

Preferably the means for retarding the speed of rotation of one or other of the bobbin spindles as desired comprises two interconnected brakes, one to operateon eachbobbin spindle and arranged in such a manner that, as the external diameter of winding on the unwinding bobbin decreases and the external diameter of the winding on the winding bobbin increases, the tension of the wire being wound from one bobbin to another tends to increase, that is to say, the bobbin which is winding the wire tends to run at too great a speed, one of said brakes is applied to thespindle' carrying the winding bobbin whilst the other brake is relieved, with the result that the speed of rotation of the spindle carrying the winding bob- Fig. 4 is a perspective view clearly showing the I operation of the brake mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the complete machine from behind, Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along lip VL-VI of Fig. 3, clearly' showing the relative disposition of certain parts of the differential mechanism,

Fig. '1 is a plan view of certain parts as shown in Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but which incorporates an electrical alternating current field motor. I

Fig. 9, shows the electrical circuit 'of the motor which drives certain portions of the mechanism.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings:-The frame 6 supports a shaft 2 which carries an unwinding bobbin 3 and a shaft t carrying a winding bobbin 5, which is shown in the drawings as a former for a coil winding. The shafts 2 and t are connected with each other through a differential mechanism 6; The machine is driven through the agency of a belt 6a.

On the shafts 2 and 4 are two brake drums land 8 which are acted on by brakes 9 and in, which are connected to and operate through rods H and ii to levers l3 and I! mounted on a fulcrum rod l5 which is supported by the framework i (see Fig. 2). The rod I2 is attached. to the lever it which is mounted in front of the fulcrum rod 15 and the rod II is attached to the lever is which is mounted behind the fulcrum rod 45.

Rigidly connected to the-fulcrum rod 5 are two arms l8 and I! which are adjustable with.

regard to length, having at their extremities two pulley wheels I8 and IS. The wire 28 (shown in dot and pick lines)' from the unwinding bobbin- 3 passes over the pulley wheels I8 and I9 over a spreader member 2| and on to the winding bobbin 5. v

It will be seen with reference to Fig. 2 that if the arms l6 and I1 move upwardly, the brake 9 is applied to the drum 1 and the arrangement is such that the brake I is relieved. In the same manner, .if the arms l6 and I! are moved in'a downward direction, the brake I0 is applied'to the drum 8 and the brake 9 is relieved.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

The wire 20 from the unwinding bobbin 3 is passed over the pulley wheels l8 and ,I9 and the spreader 2|, and its free end fixed to the winding bobbin 5. The wire 20 being slack, the arms l8 and I! have moved upwardly under the I action of a spring 22 (see Fig. 2) adjustable by rotation of the shaft 2.

a knurled nut 22a so that the brake 9 is applied tothe drum I. The tension spring is initially adjusted to suit the type of wire being wound and may be adjusted to suit the weight of the respective bobbins.

' Motion is imparted to the difierential mecha-. nism 6 by a belt 6a and tends to rotate the shafts 2 and" 4. The shaft 4 rotates freely but the brake mechanism 9, is tending to retard the As the shaft 4 rotates the tension in the wire increases to such an extent that the arms l6 and I! are drawn downwardly, relieving the pressure of the brake9 on the drum I.

As the external diameter of the winding on the bobbin 5 is less than that on the bobbin 3, the wire would tend to become slack owing to the bobbin 3 unwinding the wire 28 at too great a speed. This tendency is corrected by the arms l6 and I1 rising with any decrease in wire tension, causing the brake mechanism 9, 1, to retard the speed of rotation of the spindle 2 and simultaneously through the action of the differential mechanism 6 the speed of rotation of the shaft 4 is increased.

As the external diameter of the winding on the bobbin 5 increases, with-a consequent tendency for the wire tension to increase, the arms l6 and move slightly in a downward direction, and the brake mechanism In, 8, retards the motion of the shaft 4, and simultaneously through the action of the differential mechanism 8 the speed of rotation of the shaft 2 carrying the unwinding bobbin 3 is increased.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 of thedrawings, a casing 23 carries a spindle 24 adapted to receive an unwinding bobbin (not shown), and

a spindle 25 adapted to receive a winding bobbin (not'shown). The spindles 24 and 25 are connected together to a driving shaft 26 through a spur-gear differential mechanism constituted by the plate 26a, the wheels 21a, 21b, 21c, 51, 58 and 59. The operation of this difierential mechanism is hereinafter more fully described. The

shaft 26 is driven by a motor M.

on the brake drum 28 or the brake shoe 3| on the brake drum 29, depending upon the direction of rotation of the spindle 32.

One end of an arm 33 is pivotally attached to the other end of the shaft 32 and is arranged in such a manner that an upward movement of the arm 33 causes the brake shoe to act upon. the brake drum 28, whilst adownward movement causes the brake shoe 3| to act upon the brake drum- 29.

Pivotally attached to the other end of the arm 33 is the lower end of a rod 34, the upper end of which is pivotally attached to one end of a short arm 35, the other end of which is rigidly mounted on a fulcrum rod 36. The fulcrum rod 361s carturn moves the rod 34 and the lever 33 to operate the brake mechanism in the manner .hereinbefore described.

A spring 4| normally tends to pull the arm 40 of the lever .39, 48, upwardly; that is to say, to the position in which the brake shoe 30 is applied to the brake drum 28, which will tend to retard the rotation of the spindle 24. Loosely mounted on the fulcrum rod 36 is a block 42 which carries a lever 43,44, the arm 44 of which is provided at its end with a pulley 45, over which the wire being wound from one bobbin to another passes.

The depending limb 46 of a T-shaped member is fixed on the arm 44 of the lever 43, 44, one arm 41 of the, T-shaped member being adapted to engage the arm 40 of the lever 39, 40, when the 39, 40, and consequently the point of engagement of the arm 41 of the T-shapedmember, can be ad justed by sliding the lever in the block 38, screw adjusting means 48 being provided for this purpose.

The other arm 49 of the T-shaped member is provided with an aperture 58 so that it can ride loosely over a rod 5|.

The circuit of an electric motor which imparts motion to the driving shaft 26 is connected through a stop control mechanism 52 which operates in such a manner that when a button 53 is momentarily raised, the circuit to the motor is broken and thus the machine is stopped.

This circuit (see Fig. 9) operates as follows:

Three-phase A. C. current is supplied from the mains A, B, C, as indicated. 7

0n depressing the push-button of the starting switch D the circuit A, C, is completed, the 5019- noid E is energized and the 3-pole switch, F, G, H, is closed bythe action of this solenoid.

In closing the arm F of .the 3-pole switch also makes contact with a secondary switch J, wh1ch serves to-keep the solenoid circuit closed when pressure is removed from the starting button D,

- so that pressure on the switch D need only be momentary. The motor M will 'now be in operation by virtue of current from the three-phase A. C. main, and will continue to run until the breaking of the wire causes the arm 5| to lift the button 53 momentarily against the action of the spring 55, thus breakir, the solenoid circuit at the points K and L, when the solenoid becomes deenergized and allows the switch arms F, G and I H to return to the position shown in the drawings.

(Dverloading of the motor circuit is guarded against by the inclusion of a thermal switch of any suitable type, as indicated at N.

The specific circuit herein described forms no part of the instant invention except in so far as it enters into the combination shown, and is merely illustrative of a suitable circuit for use with this apparatus.

The lower end of the rod is attached to the button 59, and its upper-end is provided with an adjustable abutment 54.

When the arm 49 of the T-shaped member rises and strikes the abutment 54 the rod 5| rises, thus lifting the button 53 to break the circuit. When the arm 49 of the T-shaped member is moved away from the abutment 54' a spring 55 returns the rod 5l to its normal position.

A spring 56 is arranged so as to cause the arm 44 of the lever 43, 44, and thus the arm 49 of the T-shaped member to strike the abutment 54 immediately the load on the pulley 45 is relieved, that is to say, whenever for any reason there is no wire passing over the pulley 45.

The spindles 24 and 25 are connected to each other through the gears 21a, 21b, 21c, 51, 58, 59, constituting part of the difierential mechanism 21. The spreader mechanism of any suitable known construction is connected to the spindle 25 through gears 59, 6|. Briefly, the spreader mechanism isof a known type, comprising two threaded members 63 and 64 upon which a carriage member 65 travels. The'arrangement is such that when the carriage member 65 reaches the end of its travel on either of thethreaded members 63, 64, it is automatically returned on the thread of the other threadedmember in any suitable conventional manner. It will be seen from the drawings that the speed of the winding spindle 25 and in addition the spreader mechanism maintains a constant pitch. It will be understood that the spreader mechanism may be associated with any of the necessary devices ,utilized in connection with coil winding. The spreader mechanism is provided -M through a spur-gear differential mechanism 21. This. difierential mechanism 21 is illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 6 and 7 and comprises Wheels A,"B, C, D and E, the wheel E representing the wheel 58 and the wheel B representing the wheel 51 as shown in Fig, 4 91, the drawings,

It will be seen from Figs. 6 and 7 that the wheel A is formed integrally with the spindle 24, the wheel B is loosely mounted thereon so as to be capable of rotation independently of the spindle-24. This wheel is also in mesh with'the wheel E. The wheel B is in mesh with the wheel C which itself is in mesh with the wheel D which in turn is in mesh with the wheel A. The wheels C. and D are carried by the circular plate F but are capableof rotating freely about their own axes. n

The operation oi the diiferentialmechanism is as follows:

Motion is transmitted by the shaft 26 causing the circular plate F to rotate.

Shouldthere be no force tending to retard the speed of rotation of either of the spindles 24 and 25 then the shaft 25 will transmit its mo-' tion equally to the wheel A, that is, to the spindle 24, to the wheel E, the wheel 59, and consequently the spindle 25.-

Now when the shaft 29 rotates it carries the circular plate 25a and with it the wheels 21b and 21c. The wheel 21b being in mesh with the wheel 21a causes the wheel 21a to rotate with the same speed of rotation, thatis to say, with the same speed of rotation as the shaft 26, since wheels 21b and 2111 do not rotate independently on their own axes but rotate with the circular plate 251:. 'The wheel 210 being in meshwith the wheel 51 causes the wheel 51 to rotate and through the wheel", the wheel 59, that is to say, the spindle 25, and the arrangement in the size of gears is such that the speed of rotation of the wheel 59 is the same as the wheel 21a.

. twice the speed of the shaft 26.

Should the spindle 25 be held against rotation,

then the wheels 59, E and B will remain stationary. The wheel"C now rotates on its own axis and merely rolls around the wheel B but the wheel D, also rotating on its own axis and,

meshing with the wheel A"-, causesit, and therefore the spindle 24, to rotate at twice the speed of rotation of the shaft 26. Itwill be seen, therefore, that when only a partial retardation is efiectedyin' the speed of rotation of one of the spindles 24 and 25, through the action of the differential mechanism there is an increase in the speed of rotation of the other spindle-that is to say, the spindle which is not retarded.

, The operation of the machine is as follows:- The wire from the unwinding bobbin which is on the spindle 24 is passed over the pulley wheel 45, the spreader pulley 62 and on to the windlng bobbin which is situated on the spindle 25, where its free end is fixed. The wire being slack,no movement has taken place of the lever 43, 44, so that the brake shoe 30 is still acting upon the brake drum 28, and so tending to retard the speed of. rotation of the spindle 24. As soon as the shaft'26 commences to rotate the spindle 24 is held momentarily by the action of the brake shoe 3!! on the brake drum 28 against motion, but the spindle 25 commences to rotate, gradually increasing the tension in the wire, causing the pulley 45 to be, pulled downwardly so that the arm 41 of the T-shaped member engages with thearm 40 of the lever 39, 40, and pulls it slightly downwardly, which also through the agency of the rod 34 moves the arm 33 downwardly, thus partially relieving the pressure of the brake shoe 30 on the brake drum28, so that the spindle 24 commences to-rotate.

Now should the tension in the wire tend to increase during the winding from one bobbin to another, the pullew45will be pulled downwardly, causing the brakeishoeafl to act upon the brake drum, 29 toretar'd 'the speed of rotation of the spindle '25 when through" the action of the difierential mechanism 21 the speed of rotation of the spindle 24 increases.

crease, then the pulley rises under the action of the spring 56 causing the arm 33 to be moved upwardly and throughthe agency of the brake mechanism the speed' of rotation of the spindle 24 is retarded when through the,. action of the differential mechanism 21 the speed of rotation.

of the spindle 25 increases.

When a winding operation is completed, that is to say, when thereis no more wire on the unwinding bobbin, or should the wire break during winding, the pulley '45 relieved of its load moves upwardly under the action of the spring 56 and the arm 49 of, the T-shaped member strikes the abutment 54, causing the electric circuit to be broken and stopping the driving motor.

Fig. 8 shows diagrammatically an arrangement similar to Figs. 1 .and 2 but in which the diiTerential mechanism 6 shown in Fig. 1 is replaced by an electric alternating current field motor, the rotor 61 of which is formed integrally with the shaft 4 which carries the winding bobbin 5. The

stator 68 is formed integrally with the shaft 2 which carries the unwinding bobbin 3. Electric current is supplied to the motor constituted by the rotor 61 and stator 68 through the agency .of suitable slip-ring and brush-gear 69.

The operation'of the machine is similar inall other respects to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be seen that the winding machine for wire or similar material according to the invention so continuously adjusts the relative speeds of rotation of the unwinding and winding bobbins respectively that the tension in the wire which is being wound is kept as uniform as possible, and in starting or stopping the machine the speed of rotation of the bobbins changes relatively by virtue of the difierential mechanism associated with the hereinbefore described means for retarding the speed .of rotation of either of the spindles carrying the bobbins, thus preventing any overrun or, tightening of. the wire being wound.

It will be understood that the winding machine for wire herein-described is also applicable to textile yarns and filaments of all descriptions.

.What is claimed is: p

1. In a machine for winding filaments, the combination with two spindles for the reception of bobbins, one from which filament is to' be unwound, and the other on which filament is to be wound, a difierential mechanism, driving means for said spindles, said spindles being connected with each other'and to the driving means through said difierential mechanism, of a brake cooperating with one of said spindles, a second brake cooperating with the other spindle, means actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one of said bobbins to the other, said means being adapted to control both the two said brakes so as to apply the one whilst the other is relieved.

2. In a machine for winding filaments, the combination with two spindles for the reception of bobbins, one from which filament is to beunwound, and the other on which filament is to be wound, a differential mechanism, driving means for said spindles, said spindles being connected with each other and to the driving means through said difie'r'ential mechanism, of brake drums and interconnected brake shoes, said brake drums being provided one on each of the said two spin dles, said brake shoes being actuated by the tension of. the filament which is being wound from one bobbin to another, one of said brake shoes being arranged to be applied to one of said drums for retarding the speed of rotation of one of the said spindles to accelerate.

'for said spindles, said spindles being connected with each other, and to the driving means, through said differential mechanism, of brake drums and interconnected brake shoes, said brake drums being provided'one on each of said spindles, a pulley over which the filament which is being wound from one bobbin to another passes,

, said pulley being connected to and operating said interconnected brake shoes, said brake shoes being actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one bobbin to another, a downward movement of. the said pulley causing one of said brake shoes to be applied to one of said brake drums to retard the speed of rotation of one of r the spindles and an upward movement of said pulley causing the other of said brake shoes to be applied to the other of said brake drums to re-- tard the speed of rotation of the other of said spindles.

4. In a machine for winding filaments, the combination with two spindles for the reception of bobbins, one from which filament is to be unwound and the other on which filament is to be wound, a stator and a rotor ofan electrical alternating current field motor, one. of said spindles being connected to the stator and the other of said spindles to the rotor, of a brake cooperating with one of said spindles, a second brake cooperating with the other spindle, means actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one of said bobbins to the other, said meansbeing adapted to control both the two said brakes so as to apply the one whilst the other is relieved.

'5. In a machine for winding filaments, the combination with two spindles for the reception of bobbins, one from which filament is to be un-' wound, and theother on which filament is to be wound, a stator and a rotor{ of an electrical alternating current field motor, one of said spindles being connected to the stator and the other of said spindles-to the rotor, of brake drums and interconnected brake shoes, said brake drums being provided one on each of the said. two spindles, said brake shoes being actuated by of bobbins, one from whichfilament is to be unwound and the other on which filament is to be wound, a stator and a rotor of an electrical alternating current field motor, one of said spindles being connected to the stator and the other of said spindles to the rotor, of brake.

drums and interconnected brake shoes, said brake drums being provided one on each of said spindles, a pulley over which the filament which is being wound from one bobbin to another passes, said pulley being connected to and operating said interconnected brake shoes, said brake shoes being actuated by the tension ofthe filament which is being wound from one bobbin to another, a downward movement of the said pulley causing one of said brake shoes to be applied to .one of said brake drums to retard the speed of rotation of one of the spindles and an upward movement of said pulley causing the other of said brake shoes to be applied to the other of said brake drums to retard the speed of rotation of the other of said spindles.

7. In a machine for winding filaments, the combination with two spindles for the reception of bobbins, one from which filament is to be unwound, and the other on which filament is to be wound, a difierential mechanism, driving means for said spindles, said spindles being connected with each other and to the driving means through said difierential mechanism, of a brake cooperating with one of said spindles, a second brake cooperating with the other spindle, means actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one of said bobbins to the other, said means being adapted to control both the two said brakes so as to apply the one whilst the other is relieved, and means also actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one of said bobbins to another for stopping the machine.

8. In a. machine for winding filaments, the combination with two spindles for the reception of bobbins, one from which filament is to be unwound, and the other on which filament is to be wound, a differential mechanism, driving means for said spindles, said spindles being connected with each other and to the driving means through said difierential mechanism, of brake drums and interconnected brake shoes, said brake drums being provided one on each of the said two spindles, said brake shoes being actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one bobbin to another, one of said brake shoes being arranged to be applied to one of said drums 'for retarding the speed of rotation of one of the said spindles, whilst the other brake is relieved allowing the speed of rotation of the other of the said spindles to accelerate, and means also actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one of said bobbins to another for stopping the machine.

9. In a machine for winding filaments, the combination with two spindles for the reception of bobbins, one from which filament is to be unwound and the other on which filament is to be wound, a differential mechanism, driving means for said spindles, said spindles being connected with each other, and to the driving means, through said differential mechanism, of brake drums and interconnected brake shoes, said brake drums being provided one on each of said spindles, a pulley over which the filament which is being wound from one bobbin to another passes, said pulley being connected to and operating said interconnected brake shoes, said brake shoes being actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one bobbin to another, a downwardmovement of the said pulley causing one of said brake shoes to be ap-,

plied to one of said brake drumsto retard the speed of rotation of one of the spindles and an upward movement of said pulley causing the other of said brake shoes to be applied to the other of said brake drums to retard the speed of rotation of the other of said spindles, and means combination with two spindles for the reception of bobbins, one from which filament is to be unwound and the other on which filament is to be wound, a stator and a rotor of an electrical alternating current field motor, one of said spindles being connected to the stator and the other of said spindles to the rotor, of a brake cooperating with one of said spindles, a second brake cooperating with the other spindle, means actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one of said bobbins, to the other, said means being adapted to control both the two said brakes so as to apply the one whilst the other is relieved, and means also actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one of said bobbins to another for stopping the machine.

1.1 In a machine for winding filaments, the combination with two spindles for the reception of bobbins, one from which filament is to be unwound, and the other on which filament is to be wound, a stator and a rotor of an electrical alternating current field motor, one of said spindles being connected to the stator and the other of said spindles to the rotor, of brake drums and interconnected brake shoes, said brake drums being provided one on each of the said two spindles, said brake shoes being actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one bobbin to another, one of said brake shoes being arranged to be applied to one of said drums for retarding the speed of rotation of one of the said spindles, whilst the other brake is relieved, allowing the speed of rotation of the other of the said spindles to accelerate, and means also actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one of said bobbins to another for stopping the machine.

12. In a. machine for winding filaments, the combination with two spindles for thereception of bobbins, one from which filament is to be unwound and the other on which filament is to be wound, a stator and a rotor of an electrical alternating current field motor, one of said spindles being connected to the stator and the other of said spindles to the rotor, of brake drums and interconnected brake shoes, said brake drums being provided one on each of said spindles, a pulley over which the filament which is being wound from one bobbin "to another passes, said pulley being connected to and operating said interconnected brake shoes, said brake shoes being actuated by the tension of the filament which is being wound from one bobbin to another, a downward movement of the said pulley causing one of said brake shoes to be applied to one of said brake drums to retard the speed of rotation of one of the spindles and an upward movement of said pulley causing the other of said brake shoes to be applied to the other of said brake drums to retard the speed of rotawhich is being wound from one of said bobbins to another for stopping the machine.

ERIC L. WILDY. 

